looking glass self - Charles Cooley

Sociologist Charles Cooley is best known for his concept of "looking-glass self", the theory that self-image is formed largely by the messages we get from others, and an individual's interpretation of those messages. The three components to Cooley's looking glass self are (1) envisioning how one's self appears to others, (2) imagining what others must think of one's appearance, and (3) developing self-feeling, such as pride or shame, from one's understanding of these perceived judgments by others.